Consider Multiple Grant Opportunities Related to Community Forestry Activities

The purpose of this case is to review and consider two (2) Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) grant opportunities available through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  One is a shade tree program bonding grant and the other is a ReLeaf community forestry grant.  There is approximately $10 million available through the bonding grant program and a little less than $7 million via the ReLeaf grant program.  The two grant programs are fairly similar (intentionally designed this way to simplify and streamline applying for both grants) in terms of eligible/ineligible expenses and timeframes. 

Notification is not required.

Both programs focus on activities on public land (parks, rights-of-way, etc.), although with the ReLeaf program, there is a provision for work completed on residential land for low-income residents.  Both grant opportunities would be ideal to support ongoing or planned work in Ramsey, such as managing for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), including conducting a tree inventory, tree removal, stump grinding, and the purchase and planting of boulevard trees.  Both grant programs would provide reimbursement for eligible expenses incurred after grants have been awarded (anticipated in early 2024).  The grant programs run through June of 2027 (ReLeaf program) and December of 2027 (bonding program) and neither require any sort of matching funds.

The priorities of both grant programs are outlined in the table below:
 

Bonding Grant	ReLeaf Grant
Projects in communities with a population less than 20,000	Projects in communities with a population less than 20,000
Projects removing and replacing ash trees posing significant public safety concerns	Projects that prioritize EAB, especially removing and replacing ash trees posing significant public safety concerns
Projects that benefit underserved populations and areas of concern for environmental justice	Projects that benefit underserved populations and areas of concern for environmental justice
Communities who have staff, who plan to certify their staff during the grant period, or who will contract with companies with staff with professional tree care credentials	Organizations who have staff, who plan to certify their staff during the grant period, or who will contract with companies with staff with professional tree care credentials
	Projects that maintain or increase tree canopy cover

While Ramsey's population is over 20,000, we have multiple staff, between Community Development and Public Works that have and maintain professional tree care credentials (International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist and MN Certified Tree Inspectors).  As EAB infestations continue to increase, both grant programs would provide much needed assistance in continuing to proactively identify, mark, and remove EAB infested trees.  Furthermore, the grants could both be used for replacement plantings (required on a 1:1 basis) as well as other general planting projects (adding tree canopy and increasing diversity).  These activities could potentially be accomplished by city staff (depending on scope of project(s) and workloads) or via a contract.

A detailed work plan has not yet been drafted (the DNR is still providing listening sessions for eligible applicants to learn more about the grants).  However, grant applications are due by September 18, 2023, (ReLeaf grant) and October 2, 2023 (bonding grant). The August Environmental Policy Board meeting is the only opportunity to relay information about the grant programs to the Environmental Policy Board and to seek a recommendation to pursue these funding opportunities.  Potential projects that the grant(s) could assist with completing include:

• Boulevard plantings on the north side of Sunwood Drive from approximately Zeolite Street to Sapphire Street
• Ongoing management of EAB on public land (identifying, marking, and removing infested ash trees and replanting with more diverse species)
• Identifying and chemically treating 'landmark' or specimen ash trees in city parks 
• Management of oak wilt on public land (maintaining canopy cover)
• Plantings within Trott Brook Crossing Community Park (undeveloped currently, but portions should be developed before the end of 2027)

Grant recipients will need to adhere to a couple of stipulations.  First, all newly planted trees shall be alive and healthy throughout the duration of the grant program.  Any trees that do not survive will need to be replaced.  Secondly, and specific to the bonding grant program, a grant recipient will have to file a declaration against any property improved with state bond proceeds.  This will proclaim the property as "Restricted Property", which prevents the property from being sold, mortgaged, encumbered, or otherwise disposed of without the approval of the Commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget for 125% of the useful life of the Restricted Property.  The DNR has stated that the 'useful life' of trees in an urban setting is 30 years.  Thus, the 'useful life' of the Restricted Property would be 37.5 years, meaning that the aforementioned restrictions would be in place for 37.5 years.  This is likely not an issue nor a concern for any land that has been dedicated as park.  But, on land simply owned by the city (not dedicated as park), this potentially could be problematic.  Should the City be awarded a bonding grant, those dollars would only be used for improvements (plantings) in rights-of-way or dedicated parkland.

The City is already falling behind in terms of managing for EAB.  Should the City be successful in applying for one or both of these grants, it will provide a boost to the management of our community forest.  Furthermore, diversifying the community forest by planting new species and/or possibly under utilized species , the community forest will be more resilient against future disease and/or pest outbreaks.

Alternatives

Alternative 1: Recommend that the City submit funding applications for both the shade tree bonding grant and the ReLeaf grant programs.  If successful, the grant funding would aid with management of our community forest (either in-house or via a contract).  Additionally, the City could introduce more diversity into the public portions of the community forest, which should provide more of a buffer against future disease and pest outbreaks.  Staff supports this alternative.  

Alternative 2: Recommend that the City submit a funding application for either the shade tree bonding grant or the ReLeaf grant program.  While Staff would not necessarily oppose this, the DNR has said that the programs were established with similar priorities and timeframes to make it easier for communities to apply for both programs.

Alternative 3: Recommend that the City does not apply for either of the grants.  Emerald Ash Borer is going to continue decimating ash trees, both on private and public property.  The grant funding would provide the City with more flexibility to properly manage this threat and to respond and take action in a more timely and efficient manner.  Staff does not support this alternative. 

This case is being handled as part of Staff's regular duties.

Staff recommends pursuing one or both of these grant opportunities to assist with ongoing management of EAB and to maintain/increase canopy cover and species diversity.

Motion to recommend that City Council support Staff preparing and submitting applications for both grant programs.